Container cap

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a container cap and includes a container engaging section, a spout section, a closure member, and a slidable hinge assembly. The spout section comprises a protrusion extends from the top surface of the cap, at least one outlet opening formed adjacent to the top surface of the protrusion, and a dispensing tip that is located adjacent to the outlet opening. The slidable hinge assembly formed between the spout section and closure member connects the closure member and the spout section. The slidable hinge assembly comprises a hinge member and a guide member that is fitted into a guide rail integrally formed on the outer surface of the spout section for guiding the guide member. The closure member is coupled to the spout section with the hinge member and the guide member. When the closure member is opened for dispensing the contents, the closure member can be positioned at the lower position by the slidable hinge assembly to keep the closure member clear of the emerging contents of the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 61/346,101, filed May 19, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a dispenser cap for fluid container, and more particularly to a container cap, which can be used generally, or mounted with a dispensing opening to dispense high viscosity fluid, such as glue or the like.

Glue container caps adapted to close the dispensing opening of glue containers are well known. Such caps reduce spillage and evaporation of the glue within the container and help insulate the contents of the container from the external ambient temperature. In their most simple form, such glue container caps comprise a closure member to cover up an outlet opening.

While such caps are suitable for the purposes just described, the dispenser cap closures are small and tend to become lost or misplaced. To improve these drawbacks, the re-sealable closure member of the conventional glue container caps is attached to the cap body with a flexible strap projecting as an integral extension from the cap body or is joined with the cap body by an integral hinge assembly.

Nonetheless, such conventional closure member in an open position may interfere with advance of the dispensing outlet for application of the glue. In an effort to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, the present invention provides caps utilizing a slidable hinge assembly.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved cap mounted on a high-viscosity fluid container, and which can be readily and conveniently used in various attitudes or positions in accordance with the present invention.

Specific advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the attached drawings and description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to various embodiments of a dispensing cap having a slidable hinge assembly. The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art devices discussed above and teaches the construction and operation of several embodiments of a dispensing cap adapted for use with a wide variety of containers for different high viscosity fluid. In one aspect of the present invention, the cap includes a container engaging section, a spout section, a closure member, and a slidable hinge assembly. The container engaging section, adapted for securing the cap to a container, is generally shaped to engage and extend over the top rim of the container and typically extends downwardly toward the bottom of the container for a short distance. The container engaging section has an internal threaded portion to engage the peripheral rim on the upper edge of the container and to provide sealing of the container so that the cap is secured to the container.

The spout section comprises a protrusion, at least one outlet opening and a dispensing tip that is located adjacent to the outlet opening. The protrusion extends from the upper surface of the cap. At least one opening enables the user to dispense the contents of the container through the spout section when the container is inverted or angled from the upright position to allow the fluid in the container to create hydrostatic pressure at the opening. The spout section further includes a dispensing tip, forming tapered sidewalls, which extends outwardly from the top surface of the spout section around the outlet opening. When squeezing the container, the glue therein will flow out through the inner passage of the spout section and then through the outlet opening so as to provide a gluing operation as required.

The present cap further includes a slidable hinge assembly. The slidable hinge assembly comprises a hinge member and a guide member that is slidably fitted into a guide rail integrally formed on the outer surface of the spout section for guiding the guide member. The closure member is coupled to the spout section with the hinge member and the guide member. When the closure member is opened for dispensing the contents of the container through the spout section and the outlet opening, the closure member can be positioned at the lower position by the slidable hinge assembly to keep the closure member clear of the emerging contents of the container. This is necessary due to the tendency of the closure to partially reseal during dispensing of the contents due to the effects of gravity and the hinge mechanism. When the closure member is to be closed, the closure member slid upward by the guide member and then the hinge member deforms elastically as the closure member is moved from the open position to the closed position about the hinge axis until the closure member snaps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the present container cap used with a conventional bottle, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present container cap constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the closure member of the container cap being shown in open position.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the container cap, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the container cap shown in FIG. 2, the closure member of the cap being shown in closed position.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various Figures designate like or similar parts or structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally embodied in a container cap for a dispensing outlet for high viscosity fluid. The cap may be used with high viscosity fluid containers of various types, such as glue or the like. The container cap of a glue container generally comprises a bottle mouth of a container to be connected together with the container cap having a threaded portion. The cap provides a closure for the container to which it is attached, inhibits spillage, and minimizes evaporation. The cap is secured in place on the container by an annular mounting portion which engages the rim or neck of the container, wherein the annular mounting portion includes a downwardly extending skirt which forms the outer peripheral circumference of the cap.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 are various views of one embodiment of a container cap constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevational view of a cap 10 made in accordance with the invention and shown mounted on the rim or neck of a container, the closure member of the cap being shown in closed position. The container 12 may be made of a flexible and resilient plastic with a hollow body 14, and a neck or rim 16 formed with external rim threaded portion 18. The container 12 may contain a liquid or a viscous fluid such as glue, and because of the flexibility of the body 14, the glue may be fed through an outlet opening of the inverted container 12 by squeezing the walls of the body 14.

The cap 10 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 generally includes four main portions; a container engaging section 20, a spout section 30, a closure member 40 and a slidable hinge assembly 50. As used herein, upper, lower and other position terms are used to describe the invention as oriented in the drawings.

The cap 10 includes a container engaging section 20 having a threaded internal surface 22 to receive the threaded neck or rim 16 of the container 12 and generally provided with fingerholds 24 on the external surface thereof. The container engaging section 20 is generally shaped to extend over the top rim 16 of the container 12 and extends downwardly toward the container bottom a pre-determined distance (not shown). The container engaging section 20 is shaped for mating with the corresponding threaded portion 18 of the container 12. In this regard, the container engaging section 20 forms an internal threaded portion 22 on its inner surface to engage the corresponding threaded portion 18 on the upper edge of the container 12 and to provide sealing of the container 12 so that the cap 10 is removably secured to the container 12. The cap 10 is molded of a flexible or semi-flexible plastic such as polyethylene, and when the container engaging section 20 is turned fully down on the rim threaded portion 18, the container engaging section 20 engaging the container rim 16 provides a tight seal about the mouth of the container 12. Obviously, the container engaging section 20 can be modified and adapted as necessary for engagement with various types of containers.

The container engaging section 20 supports at its center an upstanding spout section 30. The spout section 30 includes a protrusion 31 which forms a tapered cylindrical wall 32 and at least one outlet opening 34 which enables users to apply a high viscosity fluid, e.g. the glue, at a desired area through the spout section 30. The outlet opening 34 can be formed in any convenient shape such as circular, elliptical, rectangular, oval or any other shape which can dispense the glue directly into the desired area. The tapered cylindrical wall 32 extends from the upper surface 26 of the cap 10. The spout section 30 has a top wall 36, which, as shown most clearly in FIG. 2, is provided with a central outlet opening 34. The spout section 30 is preferably integrally molded with the rest of the cap 10 and extends upward from the upper surface 26 thereof to a distal end which is shaped and sized to dispense the glue. The interior of spout section 30 is in fluid communication with the interior of the container 12 through a central aperture 35 formed in the container engaging section 20. The inner passage of the spout section 30 is formed so as to facilitate the glue to flow to the neck 16 of the container 12. The outlet opening 34 is of a smaller diameter than the top wall 36 of the spout section 30, so as to provide a marginal shoulder surrounding the bottom end of the outlet opening 34. The size and shape of the spout section 30 can likewise vary and it can take on a wide variety of different sizes and shapes depending upon the application.

The spout section 30 includes a dispensing tip 38 which extends outwardly from the top surface 36 of the spout section 30 around the outlet opening 34. The dispensing tip 38 forms tapered sidewalls. The dispensing tip 38 with the outlet opening 34 forms a through hole for the glue. When squeezing the container 12, the glue therein will flow out through the inner passage of the spout section 30 and then through the outlet opening 34 so as to provide a gluing operation as required. The outlet opening 34 is of a smaller diameter than the top peripheral edge of the dispensing tip 38, so as to facilitate dispensing of the glue. The configuration of the dispensing tip 38 to define an opening of relatively narrow width provides high controllability of liquid flow from the container 12, and enables the user to accurately control the flow of liquid. The perimeter of the dispensing tip 38 can be of any shape and size and it is located in close vicinity to the outlet opening 34 so as to allow the fluid to travel back towards the outlet opening 34 of the container 12 after a dispensing motion. During a dispensing motion from the outlet opening 34, the spout section 30 will be tilted towards the desired area thereby allowing any fluid in the container 12 to likewise flow downhill towards the desired area for application.

The cap 10 also includes a closure member 40 which functions as a means for sealing the cap 10. The closure member 40 resealably engages the spout section 30. In the particular embodiment illustrated here, the closure member 40 includes an upper cap 41 surrounded by a downwardly projecting skirt 42. The skirt 42 and upper cap 41 cooperate to define a vaulted interior cavity which receives an upper portion of the spout section 30 when the closure member 40 is secured about the spout section 30 to close the closure member 40. The closure member 40 can likewise be of any shape so as to be adapted to mate with the outlet opening 34 and the dispensing tip 38. The closure member 40 forms an extension 43 to be fitted into the outlet opening 34. The closure member 40 is formed with an integral, inwardly extended, hook member 44 which is positioned adjacent a finger engaging member 46. Hook member 44 is adapted to securely latch under a corresponding protruding lip member 48 formed on the outer recess of the spout section 30. Latch hook member 44 of the closure member 40 and latchable lip member 48 are both arcuately formed with a substantially identical radius. That is, lip member 48 has substantially the same radius as the radius of hook. As the closure member 40 is rotated to a closed position, the corresponding arcs of the latch hook and the lip member 48 allow latch hook to ride over the protruding surface of the lip member 48 in a substantially smooth operation. The corresponding arcs of the engaging hook member 44 and the lip member 48 prevent wear and add considerable life to the latching operation, and in turn provide a continuous substantially airtight seal between the spout section 30 and the closure member 40. In closing the closing member 40, the extension 43 is first fitted into the outlet opening 34 of the spout section 30, the planar shape of the extension 43 permitting it to be accurately guided into the outlet opening 34.

The closure member 40 further includes a slidable hinge assembly 50. The slidable hinge assembly 50 comprises a hinge member 52 and a guide member 54 that is slidably fitted into a guide rail 56 integrally formed on the outer surface of the spout section 30. The guide rail 56 as a guide for sliding of the guide member 54 forms an edge extrusion 58 which encloses and secures sliding movement of the guide member 54. The hinge member 52 is attached to the guide member 54. The closure member 40 is coupled to the spout section 30 with the hinge member 52 and the guide member 54 slidably engaged within elongated recesses 59 formed within the edge extrusion 58. The guide member 54 is slidable in relation to the tapered sidewall 32. When the closure member 40 is opened for dispensing the contents of the container 12 through the spout section 30 and the outlet opening 34, the closure member can be positioned at a lower position by the slidable hinge assembly 50 to keep the closure member 40 clear of the emerging contents of the container 12. This is necessary due to the tendency of the closure member 40 to partially reseal during dispensing of the contents due to the effects of gravity and the hinge mechanism. The slidable hinge assembly 50 preferably maintains the closure member 40 at a lower position away from the top surface of the spout section 30 during application of the contents of the container 12 through the outlet opening 34. When the closure member 40 is to be closed, the closure member 40 is slid upward by the guide member and then the hinge member 52 deforms elastically as the closure member 40 is moved from the open position to the closed position about the hinge axis until the closure member 40 snaps. To facilitate this operation of the slidable hinge assembly in a preferred embodiment, the guide rail member 56 and corresponding elongated recesses 59 are provided with a height at least greater than the overall length of the closure member 40, hinge member 52 and guide member 54. This results in an allowance for downward travel of the closure member relative to the guide rail member 56.

Further, the overall dimensions of the present cap as well as the specific shape and configuration of the various sections associated therewith are also subject to wide variations and may be sized and shaped into a wide variety of different sizes and configurations so as to be compatible with the size and shape of the particular container onto which the present structures may be mounted, or to conform with any space limitations associated therewith out impairing the teachings and practice of the present invention.

The container engaging section 20 of the cap 10 illustrated in the drawings will securely seal available containers with a rim around the upper circumference, such as is typically found in containers constructed primarily of molded plastic or other appropriate material depending upon the particular application involved. It is contemplated that the caps of the present invention can be used to seal many difference types of containers. It is also pointed out that the container engaging section 20 could be modified to be adapted for any suitable type of containers.

In a preferred embodiment, the material of the cap 10 should be made of relatively hard plastic material, such as polycarbonate or polypropylene. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other materials can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is also understood that various modifications may be made to all of the various embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art.

Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention and the scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited solely to the embodiments shown herein. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by this disclosure. 

1. A cap for use on a container comprising: a container engaging section adapted for securing a cap to a container, said container engaging section being generally shaped to engage and extend over a top rim of said container; a spout section comprising a protrusion extending upwardly from an upper surface of said container engaging section, said protrusion including at least one outlet opening located at a top portion of said protrusion; a closure member connected with said spout section for sealing said cap; and a slidable hinge assembly connecting said closure member and said spout section.
 2. The cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said slidable hinge assembly comprises: a guide rail member defining a pair of elongated recesses, said guide rail member being attached to an outer surface of said spout section; a guide member slidably engaged within said elongated recesses; and a hinge member attached on one side to said closure member and on an opposite side to said guide member.
 3. The cap as set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide rail member is integrally formed with said spout section.
 4. The cap as set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide member extends along at least half of a height of said spout section.
 5. The cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spout section is tapered from said upper surface of said container engaging section to said top portion of said protrusion.
 6. The cap as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a dispensing tip surrounding said outlet opening.
 7. The cap as set forth in claim 6, wherein said dispensing tip comprises an internal surface that tapers outwardly from said outlet opening.
 8. The cap as set forth in claim 6, wherein said dispensing tip has a smaller cross-sectional area at an end adjacent said outlet opening relative to a cross-sectional area of said dispensing tip at an end opposite said outlet opening.
 9. The cap as set forth in claim 1, wherein said closure member comprises a top and a skirt extending from said top and further comprising an extension extending from said top within said skirt, said extension being arranged to fit into and seal said outlet opening.
 10. The cap as set forth claim 1, wherein said container engaging section includes an exterior skirt portion which engages a peripheral rim formed on an upper edge of the container.
 11. The cap as set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide member and said hinge member are integrally formed with said closure member.
 12. The cap as set forth in claim 11, wherein said spout section has a height greater than an overall length of said integral closure member, guide member, and hinge member.
 13. A cap for use on a container comprising: a container engaging section adapted for securing a cap to a container, said container engaging section being generally shaped to engage and extend over a top rim of said container; a spout section extending upwardly from said container engaging section, said spout section including at least one outlet opening therein; a closure member connected with said spout section for sealing said cap; and a slidable hinge assembly connecting said closure member and said spout section, said slidable hinge assembly comprising a guide rail member integrally formed with said spout section and a guide member integrally formed with said closure member, said guide member engagable with said guide rail member to allow movement of said guide member along said guide rail member.
 14. A method for opening and closing a container with a cap, comprising the steps of: engaging a top rim of said container with a container engaging section of a cap; pivoting a closure member of said cap about a hinge member connected thereto away from an outlet opening of a spout section of said cap; sliding a guide member connected to said closure member downward along a guide rail member connected to said spout section; subsequently sliding said guide member upward along said guide rail member to a top end of said guide rail member; and pivoting said closure member about said hinge member toward said outlet opening. 